Sharp Memorial Hospital takes healing power of music to new heights

In fact, its newly installed rooftop greenery portrays a few bars of “Ode to Joy” from Beethoven’s 9th Symphony.

The garden is designed with linear rows of plants depicting a music staff upon which large potted plants have been strategically placed to represent notes.

The idea was to inspire and soothe hospital patients who look down from their high-rise rooms flanking the 180-foot-long roof covering the hospital’s emergency entrance.

Landscape architect Glen Schmidt says it’s the first time he has incorporated music in his designs. He had also suggested a canyon landscape motif and an organic version of Piet Mondrian’s geometric painting “Tableau II,” but the music theme won out.

Finding the right song took quite a while though, Schmidt says. “The first few notes of the piece needed to work within our space and be visually interesting.” He also was searching for an inspirational tune that instilled hope. Upon translating the words to “Ode to Joy,” he found they provide an uplifting message for someone recovering from illness.

Sharp administrators added the 20,000 plants because studies show gardens can relieve stress, hasten recovery and reduce the need for pain medication.

Around town: Irish-born actor Colin Farrell was spotted in a private suite at Qualcomm Stadium during Monday night’s game against Denver. He was loudly cheering on the home team …

It rained on Sunday’s Mother Goose Parade, but enterprising announcers Cheryl Mitchell and Norm Nousnes found a way to stay dry. They moved their microphones and booth into the tent of the Art Martinez family of Lemon Grove where they could still view the passing floats. As a quid pro quo, they happily announced that it was Art Martinez Jr.’s 7th birthday.

Oh Henry: A local three-legged cat that has “co-authored” books with his owner, Cathy Conheim, has been designated “Cat of the Year” by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. The 6-year-old advice-giving feline named Henry has turned into a sort of “Dear Abby,” or more appropriately “Dear Tabby.” Through the rescue kitty’s own life story, published in his books, “Henry’s World,” “What’s the Matter with Henry?” and “What About Me, I’m Here Too,” Henry inspires humans to surmount their own disabilities.

The cat, whose books have fetched $50,000 for animal welfare causes, was among those feted this month at an ASPCA luncheon in New York City. Unfortunately, Henry couldn’t go to personally accept his accolade — he gets airsick.